This Underrated Pennsylvania Candy Factory Is A Chocolate Lover’s Dream
Since 1936, one Pennsylvania factory has been turning out cult-favorite candy. That head start shows in recipes the big brands still chase.
Peanut butter cups here have a devoted following, and so do the marshmallow-filled chocolates. Pretzel sticks coated in chocolate and peanut butter disappear by the bagful.
The outlet store feels like a candy time capsule, shelves stacked to the ceiling. Staff hand out samples with the warmth of old friends.
Decades of loyal fans keep the place humming on word of mouth alone. The line moves fast, and samples appear before you reach the register.
A chocolate legacy this deep deserves a wider audience.
The Brand That Started It All
Some candy companies shout their name from every billboard and television screen.
Boyer Candy Co. Inc. took a different route, letting the chocolate do the talking for nearly nine decades.
Founded in 1936 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, this family-rooted company built its reputation one unwrapped candy bar at a time.
The story behind the brand is genuinely fascinating. Starting with simple candy production, Boyer grew into a household name across the mid-Atlantic region.
The company became the proud home of the Mallo Cup, a coconut-dusted chocolate cup filled with marshmallow cream that became iconic long before social media could make anything go viral.
Boyer also took over production of the Clark Bar, a Pittsburgh-born classic that chocolate lovers across the country adore. That combination of history, regional pride, and genuinely great candy makes this factory outlet unlike anything else out there.
You can find the outlet store at 821 17th St in Altoona, tucked right into the heart of the city where it all began.
The Mallo Cup Magic
Few candies carry the kind of devoted following that the Mallo Cup commands. This is not just a chocolate cup. It is a cultural artifact.
The combination of rich chocolate, creamy marshmallow filling, and a dusting of coconut on the outside is the kind of thing that turns first-timers into lifelong fans after exactly one bite.
Boyer Candy Co. Inc. has been making these since 1936, and the recipe has stayed true to its roots.
There is something deeply satisfying about that consistency. In a world where brands constantly tweak formulas and chase trends, Boyer just keeps making the Mallo Cup the right way.
Getting one fresh from the outlet store is a completely different experience from finding one at a gas station. The chocolate is smoother.
The marshmallow center is softer. The whole thing just tastes more alive. I may have eaten two before I even made it back to the car.
There are different packaging sizes available at the store, from small grab-and-go bags to full cases for the truly committed Mallo Cup enthusiast.
Clark Bar, A Pittsburgh Legend Lives On
The Clark Bar has one of the most interesting comeback stories in candy history.
Originally born in Pittsburgh, this crispy peanut butter and chocolate bar faced an uncertain future before Boyer Candy Co. Inc. stepped in and gave it a new home in Altoona.
The Clark Bar is one of those candies that hits differently once you know the story behind it. There is a crispiness to the center that sets it apart from softer peanut butter cups.
Each bite delivers this satisfying snap before the chocolate and peanut butter flavor takes over completely.
At the outlet store, the Clark Bar sits proudly alongside the Mallo Cup, and the staff can tell you everything you want to know about both. There are days when the Clark Bar sells out entirely, which honestly just proves how popular it remains.
Spotting a freshly stocked shelf of Clark Bars at Boyer is like finding a parking spot right in front of your destination. Pure luck and pure joy combined into one moment that you just have to appreciate.
Jimmie Stix, The Underdog Snack
Not every star enters the spotlight from center stage.
Jimmie Stix quietly became one of the most talked-about products at Boyer Candy Co. Inc., and honestly, after one taste, the enthusiasm makes perfect sense.
These are pretzel sticks coated in a layer of peanut butter and then dipped in chocolate, and they are absolutely relentless in the best possible way.
The salty-sweet balance is spot on. The pretzel gives you that satisfying crunch, the peanut butter adds a thick, rich layer of flavor, and the chocolate ties everything together with just enough sweetness.
What makes Jimmie Stix even more interesting is how hard they are to find outside of the Boyer outlet store and a handful of specialty shops in Pennsylvania.
I grabbed two bags on my visit and rationed them carefully on the drive home, which took considerably more willpower than I expected. If you have never tried them, consider this your official nudge to seek them out at the store.
Imperfects, The Best Deal In Candy
Here is a detail that makes Boyer Candy Co. Inc. genuinely special in a way that goes beyond just good candy.
The outlet store sells what the company calls imperfects. These are chocolates that did not quite meet the visual standards for regular packaging but taste absolutely identical to the perfectly shaped versions.
We are talking about a generous quantity of chocolate for a fraction of what you might pay elsewhere. The imperfects concept is brilliant because it eliminates waste and gives shoppers something that tastes incredible without the premium price tag.
The boxes are substantial. You can stock up for a long time on a single trip.
I watched someone carefully select a five-pound box of irregular Mallo Cups with the focused energy of someone making a very important life decision, and honestly, I respect that completely.
The imperfects section of the store has a slightly chaotic charm to it. Shapes vary. Sizes differ. But the flavor?
Completely consistent and completely worth every single bite. It is one of those rare situations where the imperfect version is actually the smarter, more satisfying choice.
The Outlet Store Experience
Small in size but enormous in personality, the Boyer Candy Co. Inc. outlet store delivers an experience that feels completely its own.
The moment you walk in, you are greeted by staff who genuinely seem happy to be there. That warmth is not something you can manufacture, and it sets the tone for the entire visit.
The store plays factory production videos on a screen, giving you a peek behind the scenes of how the candy is actually made.
Watching chocolate get poured and shaped while standing in the middle of a candy store is oddly satisfying. It adds a layer of appreciation to every piece you pick up off the shelf.
Beyond candy, the store also carries branded merchandise including mugs, t-shirts, and hoodies. Seasonal gift baskets pop up throughout the year.
The selection is curated rather than overwhelming, which means you can browse comfortably without feeling lost. Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM, so planning your visit is simple.
Free Samples And Sweet Surprises
There is a particular kind of joy that comes with being handed something delicious for free the moment you arrive somewhere. At Boyer Candy Co. Inc., that is exactly what happens.
A complimentary Mallo Cup sample greets visitors upon arrival, which is possibly the best possible way to begin any shopping experience anywhere.
That small gesture says a lot about the spirit of the place. It is confident. Boyer knows that once you taste the product, the rest of the visit takes care of itself.
The staff is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, ready to share the history of the company and the stories behind each candy without making it feel like a scripted tour.
There is also a senior discount available on certain days, which adds another layer of thoughtfulness to the whole operation. Little details like that tend to stick with you.
The atmosphere inside the store has a relaxed, unhurried quality that makes you want to linger. Nobody is rushing you toward the register.
You are welcome to browse, ask questions, sample, and take your time.
Why Boyer Deserves More Recognition
Boyer Candy Co. Inc. has been doing something right for nearly 90 years, and the fact that it is not a nationally recognized household name is both a mystery and a minor injustice.
The Mallo Cup alone deserves a spotlight. The Clark Bar revival is a story worth telling at every candy counter in America. Jimmie Stix should be in every snack aisle.
And the imperfects program is the kind of consumer-friendly, waste-reducing idea that modern brands spend millions trying to replicate with far less charm.
What makes Boyer special is not just the candy itself. It is the combination of history, quality, community, and genuine personality that the whole operation carries.
From the factory floors in Altoona to the outlet store shelves, every part of Boyer Candy Co. Inc. reflects a company that cares deeply about what it makes and who it makes it for.
Pennsylvania should be proud. Candy lovers everywhere should take note.
And anyone passing through Altoona with even a mild sweet tooth has absolutely no excuse not to stop in.
